Does not reduce risk of relapse overall, but can reduce relapse risk and manic symptom severity for low-risk individuals<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter<\/b><\/p>\n
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WEDNESDAY, Dec. 21, 2022 (HealthDay News) — A smartphone-based self-management app does not reduce the risk of relapse among patients with bipolar disorder, but can reduce relapse risk and manic symptom severity for low-risk individuals, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Psychiatry<\/em>.<\/p>\n Evan H. Goulding, M.D., Ph.D., from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, and colleagues examined whether a smartphone-based self-management intervention (LiveWell) can assist individuals with bipolar disorder to maintain wellness. A total of 205 participants with bipolar disorder were randomly assigned to usual care or usual care plus the smartphone-based intervention. Intervention participants had a coach visit, followed by six phone calls over 16 weeks, and they completed daily and weekly check-ins on the app. Adoptive feedback and information for developing a personalized wellness plan was provided by the app, while the coach provided support and the website provided summary data and alerts.<\/p>\n The researchers observed no significant reduction in relapse risk with the smartphone intervention. However, reduced risk of relapse was seen for low-risk individuals, but not for high-risk individuals. For low-risk, but not high-risk, individuals, manic symptom severity was reduced. Depressive symptom severity was reduced with the smartphone-based self-management intervention, and relational quality of life was improved, but no decrease was seen in the percentage time symptomatic.<\/p>\n “The results of this trial warrant further work to optimize the smartphone intervention and confirm that the intervention decreases relapse risk for individuals in asymptomatic recovery,” the authors write.<\/p>\n Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical, technology, and publishing industries.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n